Distribution of Occlusal Support in the Elderly

Abstract

The distribution of occlusal support of 366 aged patients of over 70 years was surveyed and analyzed in this study. Their masticatory abilities were also evaluated by the questionnaire on the masticatory aspects of 20 kinds of foods, and their maximum occlusal forces were measured with the pressure sensitive foil. The relations among masticatory ability, maximum occlusal forces and the distribution of occlusal support were analyzed.
The results were as follows.
1. 52.8% of the upper and lower dentulous patients had less than 5 occlusal tooth contacts.
2. Posterior tooth contacts were less than anterior ones, and even in posterior areas, occlusal contacts tended to be less from the second molar to the first premolar.
3. 61.2% of the upper and lower dentulous patients had no occlusal support or only unilateral occlusal support. It is evident that occlusal support is extremely ill-conditioned in elderly patients.
4. It was found that if the aged have more occlusal tooth contacts and wider occlusal support areas, they would show better masticatory ability and greater maximum occlusal forces.
5. In thier initial visits to our clinic they had poor occlusal support with their dentures.
6. It is suggested that occlusal tooth contacts and occlusal support areas should be important for maintaining a healthy oral function in elderly people.